Exam 3: Respiratory Flashcards
What is Fi02?
Percentage of oxygen in the air that is available to the client
What is the first sign of hypoxia?
neurological deficits like altered mental status, restlessness, confusion, or anxiety
What are the signs and symptoms of hypoxia?
Restlessness
Decreased LOC
Dizziness
Behavioral changes
Fatigue
Agitation
Tachycardia
Cyanosis – Not a reliable indicator
Why is cyanosis not a reliable indicator of hypoxia?
can be difficult in darker skinned clients
How do we assess for cyanosis is darker skinned clients?
Central Cyanosis in the tongue and conjunctiva. The bluish appearance of either is a more reliable indicator of hypoxia.
What are signs that your client has an airway obstruction?
Not talking, stridor, unconscious (tongue)
What are some common airway obstructions?
Tongue
FBO
Vomit, secretions, mucus
Toys, nails, cereal
How is a foreign body removed from the airway?
CPR, Heimlich, backblows
What are interventions to address airway issues?
suctioning, pulmonary hygiene, artificial airway, intubation, trach
What are indications for suctioning?
when patients are unable to clear respiratory secretions from the airways by coughing or other less invasive procedures
What is the purpose of pulmonary hygiene/toilet?
the action of mobilizing respiratory secretions for removal
What is the benefit of hydration in pulmonary hygiene?
Adequate hydration helps to maintain the ability to clear secretions by liquifying the sputum making it thin and easily removable with minimal coughing
How would you hydrate a client who is NPO?
IV hydration
What are the dangers of retained mucus?
Increases WOB
Traps bacteria allowing them to colonize
Leads to excessive coughing
Can lead to formation of mucus plugs which hinder gas exchange
What is the purpose of incentive spirometry?
encourages voluntary deep breathing by providing visual feedback to patients about inspiratory volume
prevent atelectasis
What is atelectasis?
condition that prevents the alveoli from expanding causeing portions of the lungs to collapse and is a complication when recovering from surgery
What are the benefits of ambulation in pulmonary hygiene?
increase the general strength of the client as well as increase lung expansion. This expansion shifts mucus to the larger airways and is easier to expectorate.
Which clients are candidates for early ambulation?
Critically ill clients can be placed into early ambulation programs with assistance from respiratory therapy and physical therapy